Two coordination complexes [Cu(phtpy)(obda)]center dot 2H(2)O (1) and [Cu-4(meophtpy)(4)(mbda)(4)]center dot 4H(2)O (2) [phtpy = 4'-phenyl-2,2':6',2aEuro(3)-terpyridine, meophtpy = 4'-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2,2':6',2aEuro(3)-terpyridine, H(2)obda = 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid and H(2)mbda = 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid] have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by IR, elemental analysis and X-ray single-crystal diffraction. In complex 1, the Cu(II) atoms are bridged by obda(2-) ligands to give 1D chains with phtpy as a terminal ligand, while a 3D network is constructed ...